Breaking down the roster-just for fun

[MHS831]

Be kind--I realize that there are literally 2235 ways to do this--this is one of them and it will change many times.  I do this for myself, but since it is so tremendously excellent, I thought I would share.  I try to offer some alternative approaches to stretch the minds of those of you who think all attention should be on the OL and DL--and you are right, to a degree.  This will probably solicit immediate criticisms from those who think content beyond the limitations of a tweet is a waste of time, but I did this for me--just sharing.

Here it is---MHS’ position by position breakdown to launch us into an offseason of debate.  Much of what I write here is not really my opinion, but comes from comments I have picked up along the way from Huddlers that just make sense. This is obviously one of many views and I will change this repeatedly over the next several months.  Just want to see where we are, and typing it out works for me, so I thought I would share.  I have watched minutes and minutes of game tape (YouTube videos) to bring you this sophomoric analysis:

OFFENSE

Quarterback:  If Cam returns healthy, expect a better 2020 for sure. However, we would then have a difficult decision because he will be in the $35m range and nobody knows how the CBA might impact that contract.  At 32, a running QB?  Hard to visualize considering the beating that man has taken.  If Cam is not healthy, we could be fishing for a Derek Carr or a Terry Bridgewater this offseason and we could draft a QB in round 2 (Hurt, Fromm, or Eason).  (What we need to do:  Keep Cam, bring in a free agent or Draft a QB to develop.  If Cam cannot go, go after Bridgewater. Allen can be the #3)

Running Back:  CMC has been great, but if we want to see him in black and blue in 2024, we need to give him some relief.  I personally see no reason Scarlett and Bonnefon cannot be that relief. (What we need to do: Nothing.  Develop the roster)

Fullback:  Armah is pretty good, but he is a versatile athlete that we do not seem to be using that much. He played TE in college---where are his pass routes?  If we do as I suggest here, he will have to have a bigger role, helping the LT and getting out in the flat catching passes.  (What we need to do: Expand Armah’s role)

Wide Receiver:  Moore is showing signs of becoming elite, but defenses can focus on him.  Samuel is more athlete than WR and he needs to be in the slot. Wright sure seemed to drop off. I saw enough of Zylestra to want to see more, as the #4 or 5,   We need a top WR to keep the focus off Moore—we do not need another Steve Smith situation when Moose was gone. We look good at WR on paper, but we are 1 stud away from being scary there. (What we need to do:  Go after a top WR in free agency)

Tight End:  We need to replace Olsen, and Manhertz/Thomas are not enough.  TEs are coming back in style, so we need to find one in free agency.  They are not that expensive when compared to other positions.  (What we need to do: Sign a TE in free agency if Olsen leaves).

Left Tackle: This is where it gets controversial.  Many here want a stud LT in the draft, but often they do not make an immediate impact and many bust.  Be warned.  Nearly all need a year or two of seeing NFL edge rushing to get comfortable.  Little has all the physical tools to do the job, he simply was injured.  Daley is very raw.  These guys are developing and look no worse than other LTs drafted.  Think Moton, for example.  Even Gross took time to develop.  It is my opinion that we should draft a T later (4^th or so) to replace Williams and compete, but nothing early.  If we fix other problems (C), LT is suddenly not such a weakness.  Let them develop.  It is not Little’s fault, it is Ryan kalil’s fault. While many think this is the biggest need on the team, you have to think in layers—“Do we have talent that we are developing at LT?” We do not at DT—and that needs to be a focus. (What we need to do:  Develop the OTs on the roster; draft a T on day 3)

Left Guard:  Van Roten gets by simply by not being the biggest turd in the toilet. He pulls well and does nice things on the second level, but if we are going to develop LTs on the roster, we need a solid LG.  This could be something we address later because Van Roten is a C-, but LG is not a hard position to find talent.  You should not have a below average LG.  (What we need to do:  Have a competition at LG.  Bring in a cheap free agent, but allow players like Daley to compete there as well.  I would like a veteran stud there, but LG is not a glaring need, probably because it was between C and LT-which is why it should be upgraded.  (What we need to do:  Have an open competition at LG--maybe Norwell wants another crack at it on the cheap)

Center:  The biggest issue on the OL was C.  Paradis was not calling good games, he was not good in the middle.  He struggled to anchor, pull, and get movement in the run game.  He was literally terrible. If we could get one of the top 2 centers in the draft in round 2, I would consider taking one instead of a QB—C is too important to have an overpaid piece of excrement starting each play.  (What we need to do: Draft a C in round 2 or sign another free agent, eating the Paradis money because Marty was stupid—although I thought it was the best offseason move at the time).

Right Guard, Right Tackle:  We are OK here—I have not been happy about Turner’s decline, but maybe he can emerge from his slump in 2020. Moton is solid.  (What we need to do: Nothing, save adding some depth)

Summary:  Add a QB or C in round 2; add a T in rounds 3-5. If Thomas is there in round 1 you probably take him (BPA), but if he is gone, get the best player.  Spend some bucks on a TE and WR in free agency.  Rationale?  We addressed LT last year with 2 picks that are developing, and it is too early to call them busts---they need time. C is the biggest problem, and we must upgrade there.  There are 2 in the draft that could step in immediately and make us better (Wisconsin and Oklahoma). However, if we take a QB round 2, then the C issue changes. Get Scarlett and Bonnefon more touches.  Bonnefon is closer to Samuel than CMC, so maybe consider some offensive wrinkles utilizing his skillset.

DEFENSE

Without knowing exactly what front we might have, it remains rather certain that we will have a secondary.   While not much has been said about this as a need (focus has been on the 2 lines), if the BPA upgrades the secondary, we should take him.

Cornerback:  Jackson should never have been put outside; he is a nickel.  We must re-sign Bradberry, which leaves a rather substantial void at the other outside CB position.  Cockrell is not the answer.  If we could bring in a CB that is better than Bradberry day 1, how much would that one move improve the CB position?  Bradberry is now locking up with their #2 WR, we are much better and quicker at nickel, and we have a lockdown WR on their #1.  Understanding that the lines need a lot of reconstruction, the Panthers would get a lot better instantly in the secondary with the addition of Okudah (CB Ohio State).  Add that to a nasty pass rush, and the defense is better. (What we need to do:  Draft Okudah if he is there in round 1 because adding him makes the biggest impact; if he is gone, we need a top free agent after re-signing Bradberry.)  Frankly, I am surprised more people are not talking about CB.

Safety: Boston may want big money again, but if he can be had on the cheap again, I would do it.  Reid is one dimensional and overrated.  However, both are veterans, and if we upgrade CB along with our other needs, maybe we should draft a S late and go with this.  (What we need to do:  Re-sign Boston on the cheap and draft a developmental S late)

Linebackers: Luke and Shaq are locked in, and I like Carter and Smith.  Since we do not know what defensive scheme we will be running, we need to stick to this for now. (What we need to do: nothing)

Defensive Ends/Edge:  Veteran-loving RR played Addison and Irvin most of the time, adding Obada and even Horton at times over other edge rushers.  At 3-4 OLB, Burns, Miller, and Haynes are solid on paper.  Irvin had 8 sacks this season, but I am not sure that bringing him back helps develop the young guns.  I think Burns would have had more than 8 sacks if healthy and given the reps.  Addison needs a new deal, and that concerns me.  He is going to be 33, and most edge rushers start declining at that age if not sooner.  Marty will overpay for him.  (What we need to do:  Bring back Addison on a short, team-friendly deal; sign a free agent DE/5T)  NOTE:  Do not be surprised if we draft Epenesa in round 1 from Iowa because he can play DE in the 4-3 and 5 tech in the 3-4.  A beast who may make the most sense because he can play both schemes and would help the run defense a lot.

Defensive Tackle (1, 3, 5 tech in 3-4):  I almost forgot that KK used to be a stud.  McCoy was not that good this year and should not be re-signed.  Love?  Old and not productive in 2019.  Poe?  He had some sacks, but he did not plug the hole as he should.  Butler? He improved statistically, but he is a turd and probably would not change his stripes with a rich contract.  This is a huge need.  Where to begin.  First, we need to draft a NT (round 4 or 5) and sign one.  If we can get out of the Poe deal, get out of it. Let Butler walk.  Hope KK is ready to go in 2020 and sign a 5 tech in free agency. (What we need to do: To summarize, sign a free agent 5 tech, NT.  Draft a NT in rounds 3, 4 or 5)

Summary:  If we can draft Okudah, (assuming other players of need are not on the board) in the first round, that would make a dramatic impact.  If not, Epenesa makes a lot of sense because he can play 5 tech, is a beast vs. the run, and he can play right end in the 4-3.  I think our first round pick will be one of these two players if we go defense, with Brown being the alternative.  We need free agent help, so letting Olsen, Addison, and maybe even trading Cam (if we are in full rebuild mode) could be the move.

The draft (for example)

• 1.      CB Okudah, Ohio St. (Re-signing Bradberry and adding this guy, moving Jax to nickel--could be the best in the NFL)

• 2.      C Creed Humphries, Oklahoma (get the hell away from that ball, Paradis)

• 3.      NT Leki Fotu, Utah (another 330 lb NT from Utah--just what the dr ordered)

• 4.      OT Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon (replaces Williams as depth and has enough upside to compete)

• 5.      DE/5T McTelvin Agim, Arkansas (can play 4-3 DE and 5t in 3-4)

• 6.      TE

• 7.      S

The OL is addressed without smothering the developing talent and the defensive line is also addressed.  With KK's return and a few free agents, the DL is where the most turnover will occur.

 

Free agency

• 1.      5 tech/DE

• 2.      NT (if you can get out of the Poe deal)

• 3.      Wide Receiver

• 4.      Bradberry

• 5.      Addison

• 6.      Bridgewater if Cam is out

Bye Bye

• McCoy DT

• Irvin Edge

• Paradis (I don’t care if it costs us—he is terrible) C

• Wright WR

• Olsen (based on his comments, body language) TE

• D. Williams T

This was done realistically--understanding that you do not have a ton of $$ and you can't address every single need with the first rounder.  Enjoy.  Let me know what I missed, where I am crazy, etc. 

[Ricky Spanish]

The defense is in shambles for next year. 

We spent all that money on defense this past offseason and they went and crapped the bed. 

[ncfan]

QB- ?.  We dont know if Cam comes back healthy and we know that Grier/Allen aint it.

OL- Shambles one of the worst in football. We've seen Cam get knocked out, we saw Grier get knocked out, we saw Allen get beat to death.  Unless this gets addressed this offseason.  It wont matter who is back at QB.  This Offense will be much of the same as this year.

RB- CMC may be the best RB in the league.  Behind him?  We really could be a CMC injury from being another 1 win football team with the lead for trevor Lawerence.

DL- we were arguably The Worst run defense in football last year and only 2 bodies are left under contract on the team.  Both of those guys are older vets coming off IR.  Poe may get cut just to free up some cap.  Then we'll be left with 1 DT on the roster.

 

Secondary- we have 1 CB worth anything and he may not get resigned.  We play in a division with arguably the top 2 WRs and a 3rd who is a probowler.  If Bradberry walks we will Have to find a CB early in the draft just in hopes they could be as good as the 2106 group.

Problem with this is, it doesnt help the leagiea worst run Defense.

 

 

The Panthers 2020 D has potential to be the worst in franchise history.

 

 

Now if they focus strictly on defense to patch those holes.  The failure to patch the OL will cause the offense to be much of what its been the last few weeks

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is going to be a looong rebuild

[MHS831]

54 minutes ago, Cracka McNasty said:

The defense is in shambles for next year. 

We spent all that money on defense this past offseason and they went and crapped the bed. 

When I was doing this, I was thinking, "How do you fix this?  There are no answers."

[MHS831]

33 minutes ago, ncfan said:

 

This is going to be a looong rebuild

You can't fix this in a season.  You have to have a 3-year plan, and that is probably what Olsen realizes.  You can't miss in the draft like we did this year (Burns was not used much, Little seems allergic to grass and all forms of turf, we traded our third rounder to get Little and gave local boy Grier an honorary contract. 

If you go back to Jackson (who was not starting) and Gaulden, yikes.  Hurney does no better than any of the Huddler's mock drafting crack heads.  Scary

[Chief Keek]

They threw enough money at the defense last year in FA and that didn't amount to much. It's time to catch up to the rest of the league, retool the offense and solidify that O-line.

[chknwing]

 

[kungfoodude]

48 minutes ago, ncfan said:

QB- ?.  We dont know if Cam comes back healthy and we know that Grier/Allen aint it.

OL- Shambles one of the worst in football. We've seen Cam get knocked out, we saw Grier get knocked out, we saw Allen get beat to death.  Unless this gets addressed this offseason.  It wont matter who is back at QB.  This Offense will be much of the same as this year.

RB- CMC may be the best RB in the league.  Behind him?  We really could be a CMC injury from being another 1 win football team with the lead for trevor Lawerence.

DL- we were arguably The Worst run defense in football last year and only 2 bodies are left under contract on the team.  Both of those guys are older vets coming off IR.  Poe may get cut just to free up some cap.  Then we'll be left with 1 DT on the roster.

 

Secondary- we have 1 CB worth anything and he may not get resigned.  We play in a division with arguably the top 2 WRs and a 3rd who is a probowler.  If Bradberry walks we will Have to find a CB early in the draft just in hopes they could be as good as the 2106 group.

Problem with this is, it doesnt help the leagiea worst run Defense.

 

 

The Panthers 2020 D has potential to be the worst in franchise history.

 

 

Now if they focus strictly on defense to patch those holes.  The failure to patch the OL will cause the offense to be much of what its been the last few weeks

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is going to be a looong rebuild

I tend to agree with this. We are set for a long rebuild. Honestly, one of the biggest tipping points to me was that Thompson contract. I like Shaq, but spending that kind of money on him stole from other areas and probably put us in cap peril moving forward.